TUE 21 APR - Ground clashes erupted on Saturday after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a large-scale offensive to connect two key cities under its control in Kordofan.
The offensive aimed to reopen the road linking North Kordofan capital El Obeid to the city of Dilling, which sits around 140km to the south.
Recent operations by SAF have at least partially succeeded in lifting a long-running siege on Dilling, although more than 50,000 civilians are thought to remain in the city with little access to food or medical supplies.
In a statement, SAF said it had carried out assaults in Kazgeil, Shawaya, Al-Hammadi, and El-Debeibat and inflicted “heavy losses” on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while a spokesperson for the SAF-allied Joint Forces claimed that Kazgeil and Al-Hammadi had been “liberated”.
The RSF, however, later claimed to have repelled the attacks on Kazgeil and Al-Hammadi and similarly to have inflicted losses, including the deaths of more than 500 fighters.
Footage posted to the group’s Telegram channel showed its troops celebrating in front of numerous bullet-marked or burned-out trucks.
Another clip showed an RSF soldier speaking to the camera while standing in front of a sign for a mosque and Qur’anic school in Al-Hammadi.
Military sources told Sudan Tribune that SAF launched the operation after securing new supplies, including drone-jamming equipment that would help it maintain control over any areas it is able to seize.
While both El Obeid and Dilling have long been under SAF control, they remain separated from each other as well as from Kadugli, another city that sits to the south of Dilling.
Much of the territory surrounding the three cities is held by the RSF or the allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).
In January, SAF reopened a road leading to Dilling from the east, breaking a siege that had lasted almost two years and reconnecting the city with North Kordofan, albeit not via the main highway leading north to El Obeid.
The months since have seen a number of operations by both sides that have led to the siege being reimposed and lifted again.
Despite the partial end of the siege, and a UN aid convoy that reached Dilling in February, concern remains about the situation for civilians in the city.
In an alert published on Saturday, the Global Protection Cluster, along with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said Dilling had become an “active conflict environment characterised by ongoing urban warfare, repeated attacks on civilian areas, and severe restrictions on movement and access”.
It added that more than 37,000 residents remained in the city along with around 14,000 people recently displaced from the surrounding area.
“Civilians continue to face direct and sustained exposure to hostilities, including indiscriminate artillery shelling, drone strikes, and missile attacks impacting residential areas without warning,” it said.
US imposes sanctions over recruitment of Colombian mercenaries
The US has imposed sanctions on three people and two entities over their alleged involvement in recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside the RSF in Sudan.
Reports and video evidence have long suggested that Colombian mercenaries were being recruited to fight in the conflict.
The sanctions were imposed on Fénix Human Resources S.A.S., an employment agency based in Colombian capital Bogota, and its manager, Jose Libardo Quijano Torres.
Also affected were Global Qowa Al-Basheria S.A.S., a recruitment company in Bogota, as well as its owner, Jose Oscar Garcia Batte, and its manager, Omar Fernando Garcia Batte.
It follows a previous package of sanctions issued in December against four individuals and four entities, including a retired Colombian military officer based in the UAE.
“Since 2024, hundreds of former Colombian soldiers have travelled to Sudan to support the RSF, serving in combat and technical roles and participating in battles across the country,” the US Treasury said in a statement.
“Their involvement has been facilitated by networks of individuals and companies, mostly based in Colombia.”
“This network has fueled the conflict, which has given rise to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and famines.”
RSF defector Guba pictured meeting Burhan
A senior RSF commander who last week defected to SAF has been pictured meeting SAF commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
SAF said in a statement that General Al-Nour Ahmed Adam “Guba”, who reportedly took part in the attacks on El Fasher in October, had been received by Burhan in Northern State on Sunday.
Footage showed the two seated and laughing together, while Burhan was also seen shaking hands as he worked his way along a line of fighters who had defected with Guba.
SAF commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan with RSF defector General Al-Nour 'Guba'
Sources told Al Jazeera that Burhan gifted his presidential car to Guba as a token of his appreciation.
Guba was reportedly a senior figure during the offensive to take El Fasher and is believed to have been dissatisfied when a rival, Gedo Abunshouk, was subsequently made the RSF commander in North Darfur.
The defection is being viewed as the most significant since Abu Agla Keikel, leader of the Sudan Shield, defected to SAF in October 2024.
Sudan Shield is a significant force in Gezira, and the defection is considered to have contributed to SAF’s recapture of state capital Wad Madani the following January.
The weekly dispatch features the latest developments, first-hand testimony, footage, photos, stats and analysis on Sudan. We can connect you with voices from the ground, experts, and survivors of the war. Get in touch on +44 7514 796 678 or sudan@avaaz.org
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The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is building an earthen wall around El Fasher to create a “kill box” and prevent civilians fleeing the besieged city, satellite imagery suggests.
People caught trying to smuggle food into the besieged city of El Fasher are being “executed on sight” by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to one civilian.
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